Here's a fun solo-trick for low level thick spawns (aka level 1,2 champs and SA mini-champs)
Cast protection
Cast gift of renewal on yourself
Run into the middle of a thick spawn
Cast essence of wind until either everything is dead or you run out of mana
Here's another trick to use against creatures who dispel all of your energy vortexes:
Cast arcane empowerment
Cast your summon
Watch the carnage (I use this one frequently against succubi in Sanctuary)
Here's a very fun one against powerful creatures near the end of the fight:
Cast reaper form
Cast arcane empowerment
Wear high SDI gear (i.e. scrappers, etc)
Cast word of death
It also works for lower range spells, like e-bolt or flame strike. You can one-hit kill lich lords with reaper form, arcane empowerment and a flame strike (with undead slayer spellbook)
If you know you're going to get into trouble or your ogre lord will get into trouble, cast arcane empowerment ahead of time before you heal. You'll be surprised by the results!
A nature's fury with a level 6 focus is about as effective (but easier to dispel) as an energy vortex. The difference is you can have up to 5 furies out at once.
Attunement (or attune weapon) is like a get-out-of-death free card when used right.
Be careful when accepting ressurections from gift of life. Usually the situation which got you dead is still there when you get the dialog box.
In other words, there are plenty of fun things to do with a spellweaver.
By far the most effective purely PvM mage template (barring taming) is magery, EI, necromancy, spirit speak, meditation, spellweaving... all maxed out, but that just gives me way too many options, so I don't use it.
